CUSAT: Blues fan to represent National side in Geneva

As we continue to celebrate our Level Playing Field week of action, we were delighted to learn this week that avid United fan Michael Harrington is to represent the National Mencap 11-a-side team at the 2018 Mencap games.

Carlisle-born Michael, 26, is a regular at our home and away games – travelling with CUSAT whenever we hit the road – and was on hand to do his bit recently as part of a group of volunteers who cleared the stadium and pitch of snow to make sure the Grimsby Town home game could go ahead, despite the terrible weather.

The 2018 games are to be held in Geneva, Switzerland, and a total of 18 teams will be taking part. Fixtures are yet to be published, but the format of the competition will see each team play a 15-minute game against the other teams in their group over a three-day period.

The top ranked teams following the group phase will then enter the finals, facing other teams who have also finished top of their groups.

Speaking about the achievement, Michael said: “I attended trials in Wakefield three weeks ago and it was fantastic to hear that I was successful. I now have a training camp in Castleford to go to, and I have to admit I’m frustrated that it clashes with the Port Vale game.

“From there we travel to Geneva in May, and the tournament will be played at the Bernex Stadium. It will be a very proud moment when I’m playing the games in the full England strip.”

Everyone at Brunton Park and his friends from CUSAT wish Michael all the very best as he heads off to represent his country.

The official Carlisle United Level Playing Field fixture, as part of the #OurMatchDay campaign is against Crawley Town this weekend.